No answers for Redhill cemetery shootings

RESIDENTS and members of the Greenwood Park CPF are no closer to having their questions answered regarding the recent shootings at the Redhill Cemetery. This despite the City paying R700 000 for the installation of eight cameras situated at various spots within the cemetery. When they were installed the cameras were meant to be used ostensibly to combat petty crime, vandalism and bring to book those involved in illegal activities within the cemetery walls.

In November last year, residents recorded 35 shots in total fired during a funeral. The newspaper and Ward 110 councillor found three spent 9mm Luger bullets on the ground during an inspection. At the time, chairman of the CPF, Robin Candy, confirmed live ammunition had been used during the burial.

David Williams, who is part of the Mvoti Neighbourhood Watch, has been trying since April last year to get the Parks department to respond to his concerns.

“These cameras were put in place in 2015 to combat crime, the theft of tombstones and vandalism that was taking place in cemetery. However, there seems to be a reluctance on the part of the Parks Department to use the cameras to prosecute those firing live ammunition at the cemetery. We also received an answer from the station commander of the Greenwood Park SAPS who said he would be taking the matter up with high authorities but we haven’t had any feedback about it.

“I used to work in the department so I know how it works. One of the suggestions that was given by department officials was for action to be taken against the undertaker for not informing the staff. Added to all this is funeral arrangements used to be done at the office at the cemetery, however now they are done at Sizakala centres. When it was here, staff were able to get details notifying SAPS of a possible problem. However now they are not willing to do it for fear of being labelled impipi (snitches). They fear they might be victims of reprisals, I can hear it,” he said.

Williams added the frustrating thing was the fact that no one had responded to his emails.

“I’m endeavouring to do get the department to make some sort of commitment to prosecute the guilty parties. Bearing in mind what the MEC of safety security said in an interview last year, that it was a criminal offense to fire live ammunition,” he said.